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May 2008

Technology for the World

Technology for the World

Front Cover : A huge model of Earth and its atmosphere hangs from the ceiling of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo. (TADASHI AIZAWA PHOTO)

A Clear View of the Summit

One of main themes of the Hokkaido Toyako Summit to be held this summer will be the environment, specifically climate change. The debate will be one to which Japan has much to offer. As Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda explained in his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, Japan is already in a position to transfer "high-quality environmental technology" to the rest of the world. Indeed, the Japanese are now mustering the knowledge and experience they gained in the battle against environmental pollution to make a telling contribution to the international fight against global warming.

Appropriate Transfer

A large number of Japanese companies, governmental bodies and private organizations are pursuing business and providing aid to other nations in the field of environmental technology. We home in on a few examples.

Policies in Place to Achieve an "Energy Technology Revolution"

"Cool Earth 50" refers to the goal of halving the world's greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050. To attain this goal, Japan is working to develop technologies for the environment and new energy on a short-term basis. Over the longer term, it has initiatives for radical technological development and renovation. We look at some of the policy initiatives now being pursued and, in the following article, hear Professor Yoichi Kaya's take on the low-carbon society to come.

Road to a Low-carbon Society

Professor Yoichi Kaya, director general of the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE), describes the science and technology needed to realize a low-carbon society.

Inward Direct Investment to Revitalize Japan

Haruo Shimada, president of Chiba University of Commerce and chairman of the Expert Committee of Foreign Direct Investment Promotion of the Japanese Cabinet Office, explains why Japan's outward investment far outstrips inward direct investment into the country and what is being done to boost the latter.

2008 Japan Prize

First awarded in 1985, the Japan Prize is a prestigious government prize presented in the presence of their majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan. The 2008 Japan Prizes were awarded April 23 to Dr. Vinton G. Cerf and Dr. Robert E. Kahn in the category of Information Communication Theory and Technology and to Dr. Victor A. McKusick in the category of Medical Genomics and Genetics.

New Strategy for the Japanese Economy

In February of this year, the Japanese government's Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy established a research council on "Structural Change and the Japanese Economy" which began discussions regarding long-term strategies for the Japanese economy. Professor Takao Komine comments on the council's first report.

High Hopes for Kibo

The first of three planned missions to the International Space Station (ISS) to assemble the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo ("kibo" means hope) was accomplished in March. We review the mission, introduce the main features of the Kibo module, and describe some of the exciting experiments planned.

All Eyes on iPS Cells

In November 2007, Professor Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University reported the successful derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) from human cells. Yutaka Hishiyama, director of the Life Sciences Division of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), explains the potential of iPS cells and the range of strategies that the Japanese government is pursuing to maximize their utility.

Expo Zaragoza 2008: The Aichi Legacy

Takeshi Miyamoto explains how the principle of co-existence fostered at the 2005 World Exposition Aichi, Japan is being passed down to this year's Expo in Spain.

Kansai Cool

In advance of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in July, ministerial meetings will be held in several cities around Japan. Three such important meetings are planned for the Kansai region of southern-central Japan, where civic leaders will be keen to showcase their towns' and cities' unique qualities, in particular in the realm of the environment. Tony McNicol reports.

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